What a great week! With the celebration of Independence Day came opportunities to discover (and re-discover) some terrific wines. Not pictured below is a pretty fantastic wine, the Burgess Syrah - one which, like many Syrahs, is underrated and worth checking out.
2009 Burgess Cellars Syrah Napa Valley $25
Concentrated, pure Syrah. Brooding, dark, and with a savory, tarry edge. Finishes a mile long and then some. At five years old, it's just hitting its stride and is the current release. Wow.
2009 Ares de Medeiros Alentejo (Red blend) $12
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Finally! The search for a good (and inexpensive) Alentejo red available in the US has finally turned up a winner. This strong, dense red is focused around a core of deep, dark fruit framed by moderate acidity and oak. Best with grilled food, but versatile, the blend of Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, and Syrah is a terrific value.
2012 La Merika Chardonnay Central Coast $10 Another label ginned up in a focus group for a
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mass production wine likely blended from sources on the bulk market. Still, it's a pleasant gulper, especially at this price. Plump, round, buttered, and oaked. Unsophisticated and (thankfully) requires no thought to enjoy.
2013 Bodegas de Fefinanes AlbariƱo Rias Baixas $25 (Received as a press sample) Light bodied, but not light in flavor. Smooth, even, and refreshing. Plenty of Sauvignon Blanc similarities here - fresh green flavors and ample boisterousness. A terrific warm weather white wine that's equally at home on the front porch as it is with a good meal. Downside? The price tag.
2013 Borra Vineyards Artist Series White Blend $19 (Received as a press sample)
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This complex white is as tough to pin down as it's label is unintelligible. Complex and layered with flavors that border - but do not cross - the demi-sec line. An unusual thirst quencher made of 50% Kerner, 25% Riesling, and 25% Bacchus. A wine geek's wine. From Lodi.
2012 Ventisquero Grey Pinot Noir Leyda Valley $24 (Received as a press sample)
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Honest Pinot. Not opulent, not extracted, not terribly complex, nor Burgundian. Just honest, true Pinot Noir. Focused and unadulterated. Uncommon anymore. And very enjoyable.
2012 Ventisquero Grey Cabernet Maipo Valley $24 (Received as a press sample)
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As feminine as Cabernet gets. Medium weight, supple texture, and a range of flavors as broad as a Latin woman's emotions. All Cab on the surface, but with lots of undercurrents: floral notes, uber dark subtext of savory game, and a lovely gentle oak frame. Feminine. Nice. Gone.